Allardyce insists Sunderland are blameless in the whole fiasco, only becoming aware of Eboue’s dire situation seven days ago.

He added: “There was nothing the club could have known because everything was confidential.

“I asked when everything came to light would it drop with the FA and Premier League as a red flag and the answer was no, unless the people handling the case made it public.

“We’ve sacked him because he can’t even come through the barriers into the training ground. It’s a full blown job.

“Emmanuel is upset but he has to take responsibility. I think he probably relied on other people too much, and didn’t keep a close enough eye on it himself to make sure it didn’t get to this situation.

“We were hoping to find the Emmanuel Eboue that played for Arsenal and Galatasaray, and played Champions League football and at the top end of the Premier League.

“I think there’d still be a door open if these problems were sorted in the next seven to 14 days.”